The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Specialist Chad L. Bolton, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious achievement and performance of duty in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan, during an Improvised Explosive Device strike as a Fire Team Member, 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 1-158th Infantry Battalion, while assigned to Mehtar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team on 1 June 2007. Specialist Bolton’s immediate action to pull a fellow Soldier from the wreckage still trapped and begin initial first aid until others could arrive on station directly contributed to that life being saved. Even though injured himself, Specialist Bolton refused to leave his four fallen and/or injured comrades until all of them had received medical aid. He assisted in carrying three of the casualties from the vehicle. He then secured sensitive items and weapons systems in the vehicle. His timely actions contributed to the saving of lives and safeguarding of equipment. Specialist Bolton’s exceptionally meritorious performance and heroic actions against an armed enemy in a combat zone reflect great credit upon himself, Bravo Company 1-158th Infantry Battalion, Mehtar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team, Task Force BAYONET, Combined Joint Task Force-82 and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Specialist Bolton’s heroic actions distinguished himself through exceptionally meritorious achievement and performance as a Squad Designated Marksman for Alpha Team, 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 1-158th Infantry Battalion, while assigned to Mehtar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) on 1 June 2007 during an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) strike. He demonstrated exemplary dedication to duty and heroic actions when his vehicle was struck by an IED. On 1 June 2007 at approximately 0750 hours while serving as a member of the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) escorting an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team to a suspected IED location, the vehicle Specialist Bolton was riding in was struck by a secondary IED. The IED was later determined by EOD to be 75-pounds of explosives buried on the side of the road adjacent to an irrigation canal. The IED was command wired and detonated approximately 500 meters before the originally suspected IED location. Specialist Bolton was riding in the passenger rear seat behind the driver when the blast detonated underneath the Truck Commander (TC) seat, killing the TC instantly. The vehicle was flipped through the air 180 degrees and thrown approximately 20 meters. With the vehicle left on its side, Specialist Bolton then headed back to the damaged vehicle and started rendering buddy aid to his fellow soldiers that were in the vehicle with him. Even though Specialist Bolton was injured himself he refused to leave his fallen comrades until all had received aid. He further distinguished himself by his action when he helped carry three wounded Soldiers from the scene to a casualty collection point. He then started to collect weapon systems and sensitive items from the wreckage before he finally received medical aid for his own injuries. Specialist Bolton’s actions exemplify dedication to duty and are the epitome of “Warrior Ethos”. Specialist Bolton’s exceptionally meritorious performance and heroic actions against an armed enemy in a combat zone reflect great credit upon himself, Bravo Company 1-158th Infantry Battalion, Mehtar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team, Task Force BAYONET, Combined Joint Task Force – 82 and the United States Army.